Lightning causes fires at 2 buildings

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Lightning apparently struck a home at 25 East Cross St. in Potsdam on Tuesday morning, and fire crews were on the scene fighting an active blaze at 8:15 a.m. Ten surrounding fire departments responded in mutual aid.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Lightning apparently struck a home at 25 East Cross St. in Potsdam on Tuesday morning, and fire crews were on the scene fighting an active blaze at 8:15 a.m. Ten surrounding fire departments responded in mutual aid.

By Nancy Bowman, Staff Report Updated 6:39 PM Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Lightning from thunderstorms early Tuesday, Aug. 4, is blamed for a fire that destroyed a former Potsdam school converted into a home and another fire at the building holding the Piqua Board of Education on East Ash Street.

A loss estimate was not available yet Tuesday afternoon for the house on Cross Street in Potsdam owned by Sue Weidenheft, said Ken Saunders of the Laura Fire Department.

Firefighters were called to the home at around 6:30 a.m. where Weidenheft lived with her adult son. “The house had a lot working against it,” Saunders said, explaining firefighters had to deal with multiple ceilings and other changes made to the structure over the years.

Originally built as a school, the building later was converted into a church before again getting new life as a residence, he said.

Firefighters from departments in Miami, Darke and Montgomery counties fought the blaze, bringing water as well as personnel. Some firefighters remained on the scene Tuesday afternoon.

In Piqua, fire in the former Val Decker meat plant on Ash Street next to the Great Miami River was reported around 6:50 a.m.

Lightning is believed to have caused the fire found on the third floor, in the building’s northeast corner, said Mike Peltier, assistant fire chief. The fire got into the roof and an area of six to eight inches between the roof and ceiling, he said.

The bulk of the Piqua fire damage was to Tempo Trophy, a third-floor tenant. The board of education offices received some water and smoke damage, Peltier said. Schools Superintendent Rick Hanes said the board offices received “minimal damage from smoke and a small amount of water.”

Damage was estimated at $25,000 to the roof and structure and $20,000 to contents. The building housed other small business, but they were not affected by the fire.

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